asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will confirm that the headquarters of the Central Fishery Board will be located in Galway; and when the staff will be transferred there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Fishery Board.
29.
(Cavan-Monaghan)): In August 1979 the then Minister for Fisheries and Forestry announced that the headquarters of the Central Fisheries Board would be located at Galway.
On assuming office I found that arrangements had not been completed to provide a suitable building in Galway or to transfer the staff involved to Galway. I understand that the Central Fisheries Board are dealing actively with the matter and I await their proposals.
; I understood that a suitable premises was acquired for the new headquarters but that for some reason there is a delay with the staff transferring from Dublin to Galway. If the premises acquired is not suitable from the Department's point of view there are plenty of other premises in Galway which could be acquired on a short-or long-term basis to facilitate the staff adequately. We would like to see the transfer take place as soon as possible.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I can understand the Deputy being misled. The premises known as Weir Cottage was acquired and it was thought at the time that the cottage would be adequate to house the central board and the western board but it transpired that it was only suitable for the purposes of the western board. I understand that the central board are now on the look out for another premises. On the question of negotiating with the staff there are about 30 headquarters staff altogether and it is anticipated that not more than 20 of these will be involved in the transfer to Galway. Most of them are people with families and are reluctant to move unless they are adequately compensated. That is being looked into. The Deputy will see that quite a lot is being done both in acquiring a premises and in negotiating with the staff.
Will the Minister give an indication as to when he expects the staff to be transferred to Galway?
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am just giving the Deputy the situation as I found it. The building has not been provided. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding about it. I understand that the Central Fisheries Board are now looking for another building. I am not certain whether negotiations have started with the staff but that will have to be done too.